The Ottawa 67's have been having fits trying to beat the Oshawa Generals this season.

They managed to do it last night without captain Julian Talbot, but needed to get through some big-time drama before securing a 3-2 victory at the Civic Centre.

Jamie McGinn scored twice, including the game winner with just under five minutes remaining. But the Generals had a chance to tie it on a penalty shot when the 67's covered the puck in the crease during a scramble in front with 1:52 left.

That set up the theatrics with former 67's centre Peter Tsimikalis getting a chance to stick it to his former team when he took the penalty shot.

He made a good move on goalie Danny Battochio and appeared to have him beat for a moment, but Battochio stuck out his right pad and kicked the Tsimikalis shot away to preserve the lead.

"I made the move and I thought I had him," Tsimikalis said. "He's a great goaltender, right? I guess sometimes big saves happen."

Battochio said he knew the tendencies of his former teammates and expected a quick shot after Tsimikalis made the move.

"As soon as I saw him make the move, I thought he would bring it back and make the quick shot, and that's what he did," said Battochio, who stopped 36 shots.

"The way Danny's been playing lately, things haven't been too stressful," said McGinn.

McGinn had a chance for a hat trick with one minute left, taking a backhand shot toward an empty net from about 30 feet away. But he hit the post, preventing the second-year winger from getting his first OHL hat trick.

"It would have saved us that last 50 seconds," said coach Brian Kilrea. "It's a lot easier on coaches."

McGinn got the winner on a play that developed quickly on a seemingly harmless rush.

Chris Hulit got checked along the boards near the Oshawa bench but managed to get the puck ahead to Logan Couture.

Then the rookie fought through a check along the right boards and managed to fire the puck toward the net.

McGinn also got through a check to drive to the goal and direct the puck like a baseball bunter behind goalie Kevin Couture from waist high.

McGinn and Chris Hulit scored Ottawa's first two goals during power plays, but the Generals came back with tallies in the second from 15-year-old rookie John Tavares and Cal Clutterbuck to tie it.

Scotty Bowman dropped the ceremonial opening faceoff between Tsimikalis and Hulit before the game. Bowman is in town for a coaching clinic this morning at the Civic Centre.

LABRECQUE BESTS GATINEAU: At the Robert Guertin Centre, Guillaume Labrecque returned for the first time to face his former team and had two assists during a 6-3 win for the Shawinigan Cataractes over the Gatineau Olympiques in QMJHL action. Matthieu Curradeau, David Krejci and Nick Fugere scored for the 'Piques.